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Your First Impression

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by HAMel, Mar 8, 2011.

  1. HAMel

    HAMel Well-Known Member
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  2. Don

    Don Well-Known Member
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    That it's a business that sells videos and other materials to help with family problems?
     
  3. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    It looks like an "older" page. Not current (not looking at content but design).
     
  4. Ed B

    Ed B Member

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    Concur

    looks like the homepage for a small, on-line Christian bookstore.
     
  5. HAMel

    HAMel Well-Known Member
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    After reading that story about the four year old little boy in Florida that was beat to death because he peed his pants, I felt compelled to do something.

    So, with the help of the Lord I've started a website to offer help for those who are over-whelmed with the stress of parenthood by providing encouragement and links to Christian Organizations that are able to help.

    The above link was provided to me as a Great Ministry that was heavily involved with those in troubled marriages. So, willing to add them to the list of links I pulled up their website and first thing on the front page, this Baptist Church is selling books, CD's, tapes, and apparently the "Special of the Day" is a four volume set for the low price of $189.95.

    Talk about commercialism!

    Matt 21:13, immediately came to mind.

    And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

    Maybe I'm a bit to sensitive here but it seems to me the Home Page of any Church should be about their ministry. I mean, even in the top right corner of the page opens a window telling a visitor their "Shopping Cart" is empty. What a deal...

    I really can't conceive of a young couple in a troubled marriage forking out $189.95 plus shipping when what they really need is immediate help and/or salvation.
     
    #5 HAMel, Mar 9, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 9, 2011
  6. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Sixteen videos at $189.95 works out to $11.87 apiece. It may or may not be problematic. It's possible that this is a reasonable price. Whether or not this ministry is in it for the money depends on a number of things, in particular:

    (1) What are his operating costs? I put Japanese Bible and theology lectures on DVDs with a very low cost operation, but each set of lectures does cost something to make. And if my camera goes on the blink right now, I can't replace it because I don't charge enough. What does it cost him to produce them and get them duplicated? Equipment? Overhead? Printing costs?

    (2) Where does the profit go, into the ministry or into the pockets of the preacher? My grandfather wrote 200 books, but made sure none of the money came to him. It all went back into the ministry, so he used to say, "Millions of dollars have gone through these hands but thank God, none of it stuck."
     
  7. HAMel

    HAMel Well-Known Member
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    With all due respect John, is your ministry foremost offering Karate Lessons or the Plan of Salvation through the Word of God? Nothing wrong with self-defense as I was into Karate back in the 1970's myself.

    However, it seems to me that any Church offering anything for sale should start first with their ministry and then move into the instructional phase. This church immediately opens right up into the Buy Now Page.

    Seems to me they have their Horse before the Cart when it comes to their ministry.
     
  8. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    It is very unfortunate that there are those who claim to be Christians and attack their own kind without just cause. What you have done is played the game of satan by linking directly to his media page and making it seem like this is all he is about. Here is the link to the main page. http://www.parkmeadowsbaptist.com/ and to get to the media page you have to go through several other links from that page. You really need to repent of this evil in your heart that seeks to dishonor another by deceptive means accusing them of being about money although you were sligh enough not to make the direct accusation, but clearly hopping others would. They have expenses and if you want to make it free then buy his stuff and give it away, but you really need to stop playing that kind of game in tearing down of someone using tactics of the media. So my first impression is that you have sunk to an all time low.
     
    #8 freeatlast, Mar 9, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 9, 2011
  9. HAMel

    HAMel Well-Known Member
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    Well freeatlast, I am not above admitting any errors that I make and assuming any and all responsibility for my actions . As you have so adequately pointed out, I am in error here. I stand corrected. Thank you.

    As you said, It is very unfortunate that there are those who claim to be Christians and attack their own kind. What you have done is played the game of satan by linking to his media page and making it seem like this is all he is about.
     
  10. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    Then I would say based on the word of God you stand forgiven. God bless.
     
  11. HAMel

    HAMel Well-Known Member
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    Actually, I didn't consider myself as being in an attack mode, as you suggest. Rather, more at exposing but that's the problem with us humans. We all have opinions.
     
  12. glfredrick

    glfredrick New Member

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    First impression?

    Just another poorly managed website that is trying to sell me something.

    The free and helpful content should be displayed first -- then if the people wish to move forward into purchasing some items for further use, they will find a page for that purpose.

    I'd be surprised if the site was doing well, either in ministry or in making money.

    Web designer or owner needs to read "Duct Tape Marketing" and start over.

    I did not dig into content to see if that was valuable, scriptural, etc. I was not led to do so because the first thing that hit me was the big price tag at the top of the site.
     
  13. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    well then if you have an excuse then perhaps you are not forgiven.
     
  14. Osage Bluestem

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    My first impression is that it's a business. I hope the family problems aren't financial...
     
  15. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    I don't know where this came from. I don't offer martial arts lessons as part of my church ministry, though I do head up a Christian kung fu organization.

    I'll let my previous comments stand. I suggest that the Christian thing to do before publicly criticizing such a ministry on the Internet is to write the man and ask some questions: Why do you charge so much? Where do the profits go?

    It may turn out that this ministry's profits go to help people with family problems. In that case, your public criticism would look mean spirited.
     
    #15 John of Japan, Mar 9, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 9, 2011
  16. HAMel

    HAMel Well-Known Member
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    I suppose that when you get right down to it, there isn't much difference between this forum board and all the others out there. It always seems to end up in name calling.

    From this one thread I've been accused as one claiming to be a Christian all the while attacking my own kind and publicly criticizing. Well, so be it.

    John, the karate remark came as a result of your picture. I say Karate, you say Kung Fu. My error.

    Bye 'ya all.
     
  17. Jkdbuck76

    Jkdbuck76 Well-Known Member
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    Dude! You're the Les Feldick of Japan!!! :laugh:
     
  18. Don

    Don Well-Known Member
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    Dude, you confused karate with kung fu?!? Have you never watched the Saturday afternoon kung fu movie double-feature matinee on whatever local channel shows that cheesy stuff?!?

    (seriously, though, don't take the attacks personally. Some folks just don't know how to be gracious, and would rather point out your faults...without realizing the manner in which they're doing so....)
     
  19. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    If you are referring to me, I certainly didn't mean to offend, and I certainly didn't mean to call any names (don't really know where you think I did).

    And I certainly didn't speak of you as one "claiming to be a Christian...attacking my own kind." Please read my statement again carefully. I simply gave what I felt were positive suggestions. If you feel that was offensive, I apologize.
    The photo is actually of me in my old judo uniform kneeling on a tatami mat here in Japan. I've trained in various martial arts, but don't currently teach any. :type:
     
  20. HAMel

    HAMel Well-Known Member
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    John, to clear up a loose end, freeatlast pointed out the following.

    It is very unfortunate that there are those who claim to be Christians and attack their own kind without just cause. What you have done is played the game of satan by linking directly to his media page and making it seem like this is all he is about. Here is the link to the main page. http://www.parkmeadowsbaptist.com/ and to get to the media page you have to go through several other links from that page. You really need to repent of this evil in your heart that seeks to dishonor another by deceptive means accusing them of being about money although you were sligh enough not to make the direct accusation, but clearly hopping others would. They have expenses and if you want to make it free then buy his stuff and give it away, but you really need to stop playing that kind of game in tearing down of someone using tactics of the media. So my first impression is that you have sunk to an all time low.

    Actually, when I typed in the web address that I was provided, what came up..., was exactly what came up. I can fix that? If I were a spouse in a bad marriage and things were falling apart and someone recommended this Baptist Church to help with my problem..., I think I would be turned off with, "Bang"..., right out of the box I read, "Buy A CD". "On Sale Today For $189.95".

    I don't really give a flip if the tapes equate to $11.00 each, or .75 cents each! I need Help!!! You understand what I'm saying here? I don't care if the profit off this merchandise buys new tires for the Church Van, or if the money goes to fund the Women's Church Socials? I Need Help!!! My marriage is falling apart. I'm young and in trouble and I need help. Again, you understand what I'm saying here?

    Well, what I posted was my opinion. To another, I was attacking my own; doing Satan's work; dishonoring; had evil in my heart. Give me a break. No I wasn't necessarily offended. Annoyed perhaps but not offended.

    John, if you were a young person and in need of Spiritual Help and pulled up the website recommended to you from another Christian and the first thing that came up was "BUY THIS - BUY THAT - BUY SOME MORE - YOUR CART IS EMPTY", wouldn't that just excite you? In the mind of the one in need is here's a Baptist Church just trying to make money.
     
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